KPFK - BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Guest: Dr. Michael E. Mann, Penn State University

The UN IPCC's alarming 6th Climate Assessment arrives amid a wave of extreme weather disasters around the world. The report warns of profound consequences in store for civilization if governments fail to act swiftly, but finds a narrow window to avoid the worst outcomes. Dr. Michael E. Mann explains key scientific findings in the new report, potential future scenarios, policy responses, 'doomism', climate provisions in the Democrats' budget reconciliation bill, and much more. Also today: Senate Dems pass $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation framework. TX GOP issues arrest warrants for Democratic lawmakers. CA mandates vaccines or testing for all school staff and teachers. CDC urges pregnant people to get vaccinated amid rise in COVID deaths.

NY Gov. Cuomo resigns after sexual harassment investigation, elevating Kathy Hochul as state's first female governor. Senate passes bipartisan infrastructure bill. COVID crushing hospital capacity in GOP-controlled states. School districts defy their GOP governors' mask bans. WI Gov. Evers (D) vetoes new GOP voter suppression bills. Dominion Voting files new defamation lawsuits against rightwing media outlets. Debunking MyPillow CEO's outlandish claims about 2020 election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Richard DeMillio, Georgia Tech University

New polls show GOP campaign to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom is in a dead heat. Most CA voters will vote by mail, but a new study reveals security vulnerabilities in computerized voting systems used in the state that were so disturbing the report was sealed by a federal judge. Cybersecurity and voting security expert Richard DeMillo offers cold, hard facts and well-informed thoughts on these vulnerable systems, and what CA voters can do. Also today: New U.N. climate report warns of 'code red' for humanity on man-made climate change.

Guest: Lizz Winstead, co-creator, The Daily Show

Strong jobs report and improving economic data tempered by uncertainty from the COVID Delta variant still wreaking havoc, especially in states with low vaccination rates. Democrats urge Pres. Biden to cancel all federal student loan debt as moratorium on debt payments is extended to Jan. 31. Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show, reflects on the show's origins, evolution and influence over the last 25 years, and the satirical damage it has wrought. She also discusses her new focus defending reproductive rights and access to reproductive healthcare against relentless attacks. Also: hilarious listener mail...

Sen. Jon Ossof (D-GA) introduced legislation to affirmatively guarantee the right for all eligible citizens, which it is not in the Constitution. TX GOP governor calls 2nd special session in attempt to ram through major voter suppression bill. GA court seals report revealing multiple, dangerous cybersecurity flaws in Georgia's costly, computerized Ballot Marking Device voting system, while a second study demolishes GOP election officials' false assertions that voters verify their computer-printed ballots. Two Trump lawyers sanctioned for 'bad faith' efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: John Nichols, The Nation

The Nation columnist John Nichols analyzes the results from primaries in Ohio's two special U.S. House elections on Tuesday, and the contentious battle between establishment Democrats vs. progressives that played out in the Democratic primary between moderate Shontel Brown and progressive Nina Turner in Ohio's 11th district. Nichols also discusses the rejection of COVID public health measures by 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls, FL Gov. Ron DeSantis' increasingly authoritarian policies amid the COVID surge, and the chances for passage of the Democrats' two transformational infrastructure proposals. Also today: One GOP governor regrets his ban on mask mandates...

NY Gov. Cuomo refusing calls to resign after investigation found he sexually harassed staffers. NYC Mayor DeBlasio announces new vaccine requirements to access indoor venues. Florida and Texas account for 1/3rd of all COVID cases in the US. Louisiana reinstates indoor mask mandate as COVID crushes hospital capacity to treat non-COVID emergencies. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Senate Democrats released the text of their landmark, bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill. We break down the details. The COVID Delta variant is wreaking havoc across the nation primarily among the unvaccinated. Florida leads the nation in new COVID infections, crushing hospital capacity. Callers explain why they are now getting vaccinating after waiting for so long...

Guest: Brynn Tannehil, author, 'American Fascism: How the GOP is Subverting Democracy'

New documents reveal Trump ordered the Justice Department to falsely claim the 2020 election was 'corrupt' to help his attempt to overthrow the election. Author and national security expert Brynn Tannehill explains her chilling, insightful new book that explains 'competitive autocracy', the Republican Party's embrace of authoritarianism and growing attempts to subvert democracy, and what each of us can do to defend democracy. Plus: Justice Dept. enforces federal law, orders IRS to hand over Trump's tax returns to congressional investigators.

Justice Department issues new guidelines warning states to follow federal law on post-election audits and voting rights, as GOP-controlled states enact new voter suppression laws. Texas State lawmaker Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D) delivers moving testimony to U.S. House on the impact of the state's massive new voter suppression law, and the necessity of passing federal voting rights reform legislation. President Biden launches new initiatives to raise U.S. vaccination rate to save lives, as COVID surges again due to fast-spreading Delta variant and those who refuse to get vaccinated. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'